Doctors may also prescribe azithromycin for genital infections and sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, infections of the urethra or cervix, genital ulcers, and severe pelvic inflammatory disease.

Azithromycin belongs to group of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. They work by preventing bacteria from making their own proteins.

As with other antibiotics, to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises doctors to prescribe the drug only when there is proof, or a strong suspicion, that the infection is caused by bacteria against which azithromycin is effective.

The FDA first approved azithromycin under the brand name Zithromax in 1991. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals manufactures the drug.

Azithromycin Warnings

Azithromycin can cause abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart, which may lead to deadly irregular heart rhythm, according to a special warning by the FDA in 2012.

If you have a heart-rhythm condition, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat, or take drugs to treat these conditions, you should talk to your doctor about it before taking azithromycin.

Your doctor also should make sure you have normal blood levels of potassium and magnesium before prescribing azithromycin.

In addition, you should not take azithromycin if you:

Are allergic to azithromycin or any of its inactive ingredients

Have a form of jaundice known as cholestatic jaundice, in which bile backs up into the liver and causes a yellowing of the skin, eyes, or nails

Azithromycin Interactions

It is always important to share with your doctor and pharmacist all of the medications you are taking.

This includes not only all of your prescription medicine, but also products that may not seem like medication, such as over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), and herbals along with any legal or illegal recreational drugs.

You should not take Azithromycin if you are taking

Pimozide (Orap)

BCG live (Theracrys)

Dronedarone (Multaq)

Talk to your doctor about the possibility of prescribing a different antibiotic than azithromycin if you are taking any of the following drugs:

Azithromycin Dosage

Azithromycin is taken as a pill or liquid. It's also given as intravenous (IV) injection in hospitals. Packets of powder are mixed with water to create the liquid solution.

Azithromycin may be taken with or without food.

Doctors sometimes prescribe azithromycin for shorter periods than they do for other antibiotics, such as in a one-day "mega-dose," or for three or five days, using the Z-Pak, which starts at a higher dose than longer regimens.

The dosage and length of time for azithromycin treatment vary according to the type of infection:

Infections of the skin and skin tissues: One dose of 500 milligrams (mg), then 250 mg per day for four days

Infection of the throat and tonsils: One dose of 500 mg; then 250 mg per day for four days

Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP): One dose of 500 mg, then 250 mg per day for four days

Genital Ulcer Disease: 1 gram (g), one time

Sinus infections caused by bacteria: 500 mg a day for three days or 2 g as a one-time dose

Azithromycin Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.

You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.

Missed Dose of Azithromycin

If you miss a dose of Azithromycin, try to take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose.

Then skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Azithromycin (Zithromax) FAQ

Q: Would an antibiotic, such as azithromycin, interfere with my birth control Necon 1-35?

A: Studies have shown that antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) may decrease hormonal birth control efficacy. There is more evidence of this with tetracycline and ampicillin. Use caution when taking these two medications at the same time.
Lowell Sterler, RPh

Q: Can both women and men take azithromycin suspension?

A: Azithromycin is approved, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as a safe and effective treatment, for men and women, to treat various different types of bacterial infections, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Azithromycin should be taken exactly as directed by your health care provider. The dose and duration of treatment with azithromycin suspension differs depending on the type of infection being treated. According to the prescribing information, the most commonly reported side effects associated with treatment with azithromycin include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and vaginitis. Azithromycin should only be taken as prescribed by your health care provider. For more information regarding azithromycin suspension, you may want to visit our website or check with your health care provider or local pharmacist. http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/azithromycin Beth Isaac, PharmD

Q: Is it safe to use tanning beds while on a Z-pack?

A: Z-Pak (azithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic which is used to treat various bacterial infections. The most common side effects with Z-Pak are diarrhea and nausea. Other side effects with Z-Pak include photosensitivity or sensitivity to the sun and UV radiation. It is important to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and avoid unnecessary UV radiation (tanning beds) while on Z-Pak to avoid sunburn and skin damage. Tanning beds are never recommended as they can lead to skin cancer as well as premature aging of the skin. Self or spray tans are the better option. This is not a complete list of the side effects associated with Z-Pak. ZITHROMAX tablets and oral suspension can be taken with or without food.
Patients should also be cautioned not to take aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids and azithromycin simultaneously. Laura Cable, PharmD., BCPS

Q: Can a bariatric patient take a Z-pack?

A: After bariatric or weight-loss surgery, patients may no longer be able to take whole pills or tablets. So, these patients often need medications that come in formulations that are chewable, liquid, or are able to be crushed. Bariatric patients will not be able to take extended-release formulations or medications that are enteric-coated. Azithromycin is an antibiotic that helps the body fight bacteria. It is used to treat bacterial infections, including respiratory infections, ear infections, sinus infections, certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), skin infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and Strep throat. Azithromycin comes in a dose pack called a Z-pack that consists of film-coated tablets that are packaged for a 5 day course of treatment. Film-coating is often used to help ease swallowing, to mask a bad taste or an odor, and to help stabilize a drug. Crushing a film-coated tablet can alter these factors. Azithromycin is also available as a liquid suspension that may be more appropriate for use in a bariatric patient. Consult your doctor for specific recommendations based on your circumstances. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and always finish the complete course of antibiotic treatment even if your symptoms improve. Sarah Lewis, PharmD

Q: Can azithromycin cause itching? My pills are white and have an imprint of "GGD6". Am I taking the right medication?

A: Azithromycin (Zithromax) is in a group of drugs called macrolide antibiotics, and the pills you have that are white with the imprint of GGD6 are identified as azithromycin by the manufacturer Sandoz. The pink and blue tablets are from a different manufacturer. Azithromycin is used to treat many different bacterial infections including sinusitis, ear infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The most common side effects associated with azithromycin include mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; stomach pain or upset; dizziness, tired feeling, or headache; nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia); vaginal itching or discharge; mild itching or skin rash; ringing in your ears, problems with hearing; or decreased sense of taste or smell. In addition, antibiotics can produce hypersensitivity reactions in people, which may indicate an allergy to the medicine. It is important to contact your doctor when you experience a side effect, especially if it gets worse or more symptoms appear. Michelle McDermott, RPh, PharmD

Q: What does Zithromax look like?

A: Brand name Zithromax (azithromycin) 250 mg tablets are pink, oval shaped tablets with PFIZER imprinted on one side and 306 on the other. Brand name Zithromax 500 mg tablets are pink, oval shaped tablets with Pfizer imprinted on one side and ZTM500 on the other. Brand name Zithromax 600 mg tablets are white, oval shaped tablets with PFIZER imprinted on one side and 308 on the other. Please check with the pharmacy where the medication was dispensed for appropriate identification. Zithromax is categorized as a macrolide antibiotic. Zithromax fights bacteria in your body. Zithromax is indicated to treat several bacterial infections. Some of the possible side effects associated with Zithromax treatment include mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain or upset, headache, dizziness, feeling tired, difficulty sleeping, nervousness, mild itching or skin rash, vaginal itching or discharge, decreased sense of taste or smell and ringing in your ears. Zithromax may be taken with or without food. If Zithromax upsets your stomach, take it with food. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Kristen Dore, PharmD

About Drugs A-Z

Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Basics, Side Effects, Interactions, and Dosage tabs. The information within the Reviews and FAQ tabs is proprietary to Everyday Health.

You can browse Drugs A-Z for a specific prescription or over-the-counter drug or look up drugs based on your specific condition. This information is for educational purposes only, and not meant to provide medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Remember to always consult your physician or health care provider before starting, stopping, or altering a treatment or health care regimen.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by on this page is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. The information on this page has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore neither Everyday Health or its licensor warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Neither Everyday Health nor its licensors endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The drug information above is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Neither Everyday Health nor its licensor assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of the information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have any questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Log in

Enter your Everyday Health log in:

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about
your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of
interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make
choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here.

From our Sponsors

Everyday Solutions are created by Everyday Health on behalf of our sponsors. View all.

Connect

Don't miss out on breaking news, live chats, lively debates, and inspiring stories. Join the conversation!

Free Newsletters

Personalized tips and information to get and stay healthier every day. Sign Up Now!